Online resources:Sierra Avalanche Center has professional forecasters that regularly survey and report avalanche danger throughout the Tahoe Basin. They're an excellent resource for current avalanche conditions, available at www.sierraavalanchecenter.org.Avalanche.org has an online tutorial with the most common red-flag avalanche warning signs.

Source: Sierra Avalanche Center and avalanche.org

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Each year in North America, an average of 36 people die in avalanches in backcountry areas and designated ski areas. Two-thirds of them suffocate, while the others die from the related trauma. Skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and snowmobilers are at risk for avalanche dangers in the Sierra, particularly those who venture into the backcountry.

Already this winter season, avalanche.org has reported six U.S. avalanche fatalities. Although none of them were in California or Nevada.

Avalanches large and small are common in the Tahoe Basin. And while a day spent skiing the backcountry can be rewarding and free of danger, not knowing what you're getting into can cause trouble.

The backcountry beckons snow sports enthusiasts on the prowl for fresh powder, whether it's in the remote areas of the Sierra, or what might seem like a safe zone just outside a ski-area boundary.

Tim Farrar and Mike Ferrari, ski patrollers and avalanche educators at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, recognized that more and more people were using the backcountry just outside ski area boundaries and saw the need for people to be aware of the dangers. They started Slide Snow School, classes that teach avalanche awareness at three levels.

Farrar said that the biggest mistake backcountry users make is not even realizing that they're in danger.

"They don't even know they're in a hazardous situation," Farrar said.

Another common mistake in the backcountry is letting emotion override good judgment in that quest for fresh powder and big turns.

"You need to make careful assessments and come up with a plan and stick to your plan," Farrar said. "And that's where things can fall apart. People get out there (with a safe plan), and throw that plan out the window because they want to ski the better terrain."

Farrar cautioned that just one hard-charging person can lead a whole group into danger and said that group management (because traveling the backcountry alone is a bad idea) is also a big part of safety.

"If you can really work at managing your group and communicate as a group, that can stack the odds in your favor, because everyone's on the same page and offering input."

Farrar has been in a few small avalanches himself and is thankful he was never fully buried or injured. Still, he said, even a small slide can slam you into a tree or push you over a cliff. Near Mt. Rose, Farrar said he's seen the Davis Creek area below the ski boundary getting more use, as well as backcountry areas just north of the ski area, including faces known as Fireplug, Tamarack Peak (Hourglass Bowl) and Proletariat Bowl.

"Some of (the users) probably have a good understanding of what happens when you step under the rope," Farrar said. "Some probably don't even realize they're in the backcountry. We just felt there was a need (for education) with all the people using our mountain, but also the Tamarack Peak area," which he described as one of the most heavily used backcountry areas in the Tahoe Basin.

Farrar said that the Level 1 avalanche courses, taught by other area instructors as well, are more focused on making good decisions, managing your group and knowing how to use rescue tools.

"If all you want to do is go recreate in the backcountry, Level 1 is adequate," he said. "We provide a lot of tools and info, and if you apply that, you can go your whole backcountry career with that knowledge"

Farrar said that the avalanche forecasts on the Sierra Avalanche Center website (www.sierraavalanchecenter.org) are excellent tools for making informed decisions, and it's the first place to start.

"Some days you want to avoid avalanche terrain entirely, or you want to avoid certain aspects," Farrar said. "Some days, it's fair game and low hazard. You still have to be careful of little pockets that can surprise you."